Why I Quit Instagram As A Christian Blogger…And How It Changed My Life For The Better
Question: How long would you be able to stay off social media? 15 minutes? A day, a week, or maybe a month? How about a few months? What if God asked you to give up social media completely? Would you do it?
You don’t have to answer me but based on your personal convictions, I’m sure it may vary. No judgment if you can honestly say that you can’t. This blog post isn’t about if you should use it or not. This blog post is me sharing my experience on the other side of social media offline and what God revealed to me as He pulled me away from it.
Love it or hate it, social media has made its mark on human existence to the point where most of us couldn’t imagine living our lives without it. Some people use it for fun while some people’s livelihood depends on it. However it’s used, social media here to stay and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon but the method in how it’s used is always changing.
Seven years ago, when I had first started the Love Grace and Light Blog, social media (particularly Instagram) was a MUCH DIFFERENT space. One of the biggest and most common tips I was told as a new blogger starting out was that having an Instagram account was “essential” for growth and success.
My first 3 years on Instagram as a Christian blogger was A LOT of fun. I was able to connect with the most phenomenal people and had opportunities one could ever dream about left and right come to me. I knew without a doubt that God’s hand, grace, and favor was on me.
But in 2021, I noticed changes. Changes within the platform and changes within myself. It was very subtle but posting became harder and more frustrating for me. Between the algorithm changes and the media climate of what people were posting, the noise of Instagram became loud. As the months and years went by it steadily became louder.
I found myself wanting to take more breaks away from Instagram. It started off with me taking a break for a day but soon my one day break turned into a few days and then a few weeks. I couldn’t figure out why I was taking these breaks not knowing that God was gently drawing me away from the noise of Instagram and unto Himself.
During my mini social media detoxes, my time away with God felt PHENOMENAL and life-giving but at the same time, a small part of me was experiencing MAJOR FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). I felt the need to stay connected and be “in the know” when it came to Instagram.
In late 2021, I went to a Bible Study one Saturday morning, and the pastor spoke about the dark side of social media. He says that the enemy often uses social media as a tool to have us make idols (anything we bow or worship beside God) of ourselves, money, or anything else that takes our attention away from God while being addicted to it.
*Disclaimer: Please understand that I’m NOT saying that social media is the devil. I've seen plenty of anointed, Holy-Spirit filled people use social media in tremendous ways to share the gospel, set free, and deliver others. Social media is a tool but your heart’s posture will determine how you will use it: for good or evil.
After hearing my Bible study leader’s teaching about the dark side to social media, I was in denial at first thinking that I personally made social media my god or an idol and that I was addicted to it.
However, the Holy Spirit had me thinking and brought to my attention:
The times I’ve constantly reached for my phone in the morning to check my notifications before giving God the first fruits of my day.
Moments where I have been distracted during my quiet time with God because a comment or “likes '' on my post gave me more of a dopamine high than sitting in His presence.
Instances where I secretly sought the approval of others or got mad because the post that I made didn’t do so well (not enough likes).
Where I listened to every preacher, pastor, prophet who meant well or sounded good because I needed a word but didn’t seek God’s word for myself to see if they were biblically sound.
How I compared myself to other Christian bloggers or felt envious of them because they had more followers, opportunities, or their businesses was thriving and I was still struggling to get people to read my blog.
How making money became more of a motivator than God’s original mission given to me. My motto became No post = No sales.
After hearing the my Bible Study leader’s words, my internal struggle with Instagram began. I was convicted yet conflicted and this feeling would last for 4 years. The struggle between wanting to grow my audience and blog while desiring to surrender, let go of Instagram, and lean in more into God was getting to me.
I knew that decision had to be made and made soon.
2023 was an extremely difficult but significant year for me personally. While I experienced deep pain and loss, it was also a time of deep growth. The gentle drawing that God was using to get me away from Instagram soon became a taut tug. More and more, my presence on social media and blog posts became less and less but I still struggled and strived to make a presence somehow because I felt like I was supposed to.
In fact, I was told more than ever that I NEEDED to post constantly if I was going to turn my blog into a “profitable and successful business or ministry.” Though it did make 100% logical sense, I felt my desire and will to post increasingly wane. It wasn’t long before I found myself despising Instagram, posting, and blogging all together even if it was for Christ.
In that time, Instagram had changed its algorithm rules…Again. Posting on Instagram felt like me feeding a beast that was NEVER satisfied. The pressure to post more and more to be seen, liked, and forgotten about in 10 seconds for exposure or selling yourself to the masses multiple times a day became too much for me.
The joy of posting “just because” as a Christian blogger became a platform where you had to use borderline sleazy sales or “bait and switch” tactics to compel people to “buy this,” “join that” or follow you. I felt like I had to bow down and submit myself and even my finances to an app that determined the rate and growth of my success as a Christian blogger. That was a very hard limit for me.
Instagram may have been used as a vehicle for opportunity and some of the successes I’ve had but it was NEVER the giver. God was ultimately the one who gave the opportunity and success. NOT an app or platform.
In October 2023 I dealt with serious health, financial, relational, and mental health issues. My life and the ministry that God had given me with this blog was falling apart. My anxiety was at an all time high. I just wanted to disappear and disconnect.
After some deep time in prayer, I decided to surrender to God’s drawing to Himself and unplug from Instagram for a few months. Ultimately, this would lead me to write my final farewell post to leave Instagram indefinitely on December 31, 2023.
Living Offline
Giving up Instagram was a lot easier than I thought it would be. I’m guessing with all the breaks I’ve taken in the past, I would expect it to be. The time away was much needed but I had to face real life. My real life without the filters, highlight reels, stories, emojis, and edits.
Leaving Instagram showed me how seriously bad things were with me, my personal life, and relationship with God. A lot of work needed to be done for healing, restoration, repairing, and trust through surrender in Him. It was NOT an easy process or journey (still isn’t) but I realized why God had to remove Instagram from my life.
God required my full, undivided attention and I gave it to Him while experiencing the fullest extent of His blessings.
A MUCH Better Life FROM “URL” To “IRL”
Since leaving Instagram, my mornings have become less frantic. Instead of reaching for my phone first thing in the morning, I’m learning and practicing stillness by either lying or sitting in silence in God’s presence. God is teaching how to enjoy being still not only in body but also in mind and spirit as well. Having my quiet time with God in the morning has become the BEST part of my day again.
My physical and mental health started to improve. Instead of mindlessly scrolling for hours and giving myself self-inflicting anxiety, I have more time to work out. Walking workout videos (Thank you, Leslie Sansone) have done wonders for my body and my mood along with strengthening my mind and spirit by getting into God’s word more. God is teaching how to take care of my body and my especially with it being His temple.
Relationally, things became better for me. My time away from social media allowed me to enjoy and be more in the moment with those I care about most instead of trying to snap the perfect Instagram-worthy photo or give myself a headache by coming up with some catchy caption to post for others to see for 10 seconds before their feed updates again.
Less scrolling meant more meaningful, heartfelt conversations that fostered love, understanding, forgiveness, and healing. Believe it or not, it’s also helped tremendously for my marriage too. God is teaching me that my first ministry is my family. If my family is a mess, so will my ministry in other things He calls me to be also.
God is also transforming my writing in a deeper and impactful way. I’m able to hear His voice clearly and write down what He says. In the stillness and silence, God is restoring and rekindling my passion for writing again while being my real authentic self.
If I can be honest, as of now, my passion for writing a small flicker but the desire to cultivate it with His purity is what keeps me going and growing. He gives me insight and revelation about questions and prayers I’ve had months even years ago and also helps me discover and develop gifts that I didn’t know that I had.
I remember there was a time that I felt like I couldn’t live life without Instagram and needed to have it. But since prayerfully making the decision to leave Instagram while experiencing God’s peace with it, I realize that it was the best decision I’ve made. Interestingly enough, I have no desire to go back (at least any time soon anyway).
While I did receive excellent support from my followers, I know that some think that I’m foolish or stupid for giving up Instagram as a Christian blogger. They may feel like what I’m doing is a mistake, ridiculous, or it won’t work. I don’t expect many people to understand because this is the journey that God has me on and though I don’t know what lies ahead, I’m excited to see what’s on the other side as I surrendered and gave Him my, “Yes.”
I’d much rather walk in obedience, God’s direction and peace that to cater to system that erodes my spirit and the call God has on my life.
I believe It’s time we as Christians challenge the world’s ideas of success when it comes to ministry, business, and success with God’s Word.
Sometimes the world’s idea on how to achieve certain things may look and sound right. It may actually be right but it may not necessarily be right for us with the path that God has us on. It’s extremely difficult to hold on to the world’s ways and methods while trying to follow Christ.
Encouraging Word
On December 10, 2023, during my early morning quiet time, The Holy Spirit had given me word to about Instagram before I made the final decision to give it up completely. This word comes from my personal journal dealing with some specific things about me. I left nothing out but made some clarification for context on what He said.
I understand that you may not be a blogger or an entrepreneur but I do believe that there are some truths and gems you can glean from should you find yourself in a complex relationship with social media as a Christian. Again, I’m not saying you have to be like me and quit social media but IF you are feeling “convicted and conflicted” like I was, I pray you seek God for yourself and step out on faith wherever He leads. May this word encourages you as it did for me.
Social media…
There’s a reason why I’m drawing to you more and more away from it.
I’m drawing you away because you don’t need it.
I know what the world says; that you have to have it in order to reach your dreams and grow on social media but what do I say?
It’s a tool, yes.
But I’ve seen how it’s deteriorating your spirit and soul.
It’s become toxic and poisonous to you.
You are not meant to stay glued to your phone.
There’s too many voices on social media telling you things where only My word should matter.
If I’m drawing you away from social media, it’s because you don’t need it where I’m taking you.
You can still make a greater and significant impact without having it.
Let’s get back to the basics.
Let’s get back to the simplicity of things.
Let’s get back to the love of blogging and writing without any algorithms or tactics.
Stop feeding the beast.
The reason why Darrell (my Bible Study leader) said what he said about social media is because it’s like a beast that devours but is never satisfied.
More and more people secretly wish to be free from social media but the entitlement of sponsorships and money has them in bondage.
Social media has become their god now instead of Me.
They’ve listened to the lie that they HAVE TO have social media to be successful but most have never sought Me out on how to achieve their dreams and success without it.
I know it’s not easy to trust in Me when everyone seems to get results from something that keeps them in bondage.
Most people don’t know that they’re bound.
Social media gives quick results.
However, I can give results as quickly as I want to with guaranteed freedom.
What if you were to seek My word and My ideas of how to grow your blog and business without social media?
What if you were to give it up for Me?
Would you trust Me even if things look slow or not the way you wanted them to go?
Trusting in Me and My plans for you seem scary because you can’t see the outcome of the results.
Social media has people craving instant gratification.
You’re one of them.
My way may be slow but I’m teaching you how to be solid over time.
I build things that last.
I also have the power to change the pace. I can make you grow as quick or slow as I want.
Slow and humble are despised.
Don’t despise them.
Keep building even when you don’t see traffic but also keep learning.
I’m teaching you a better way to grow.
I’m teaching what’s countercultural and what some may find counterintuitive.
I’m teaching you the way less traveled.
I’m teaching you how to set yourself free from social media so you can help others as well.
Keep building.
Keep writing.
You will get results.
Keep learning also.
I’m teaching you to be different this next coming year.
Trust the process and stay consistent even when you want to quit.
I’ll be with you.
See Me about EVERYTHING.
The decision to leave social media can be a personally conflicting and controversial one. Whether you’re a Christian blogger or not, have you thought about quitting social media completely or do you feel like God is asking you to give it up? If so, what’s stopping you? What struggles do you face? Let’s talk about this in the comments.
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